When it comes to motor yacht design, this year, although not finished yet, is promising to be very important for the prestigious UK design studio, Dixon Yacht Design. The studio has a long and highly respected history of developing very innovative and progressive yacht designs for its customers but, never in the firm’s 31 years have so many new motor yachts designed by the Dixon team been launched in the same year; all for different clients and all with very much their own unique ‘personalities’.
Luxury motor yacht Pearl 75 designed by Dixon Yacht Design
New models from Azimut, Pearl, Johnson, Ava, Gallop and Sease ranging from 43 to 75 feet, are now on the water and all have met an enthusiastic welcome from the journalists and customers who have seen them.
From the UK comes a stunning new flagship for the Pearl range – motor yacht Pearl 75. The Dixon team, for many years acknowledged as masters of the art of space utilisation have moved boundaries even further with this yacht. Responsible for the Naval Architecture, styling and space planning of the vessel the use of ZF pod drives for the first time on a yacht of this size has meant a big increase in the amount of living space available.
Azimut have added a third vessel to its Magellano range of semi displacement yachts – the Azimut Magellano 43 yacht. The Magellano’s are carried on a unique hull design created by Dixon Yacht Design; the result of many hours of design, tank testing and the use of free running radio controlled scale models. It’s been christened the ‘dual mode hull’ by the builders. ‘Dual mode’ means its efficient cruising at semi-displacement speeds but also comfortable and economic at displacement speeds. This yacht sets new standards for fuel economy, and obviously range, while providing excellent stability and comfort.
Azimut Magellano 43 yacht
The boat that is perhaps the most different, and which demonstrates only too well the amount of research that the Dixon team are prepared to undertake in order to ensure that a yacht is right for its chosen market is the Ava 49. Launched at the Shanghai show and Hainan show the Ava is nothing short of a revolution in design, with significantly more recreational space than yachts of a similar size. The typical Asian buyer, at whom the yacht is initially aimed, is much more interested in entertaining than undertaking longer voyages.
As a result the yacht only has an owner’s cabin forward but has an enormous split level saloon with its own KTV lounge; while in the fresh air guests can enjoy a very large flybridge with lots of seating and a bar. The Ava 49 yacht has been described as, ‘The Ultimate Party Boat – for business and pleasure’. The Ava will make its US debut at Miami Boat Show in 2013.
Johnson Yachts have all been designed by Dixon Yacht Design since the 1980’s and the first of a new model in the range, the 65, recently made its debut at the recent Sydney Boat Show. Here again the Dixon team have incorporated ZF pod drives, not just to the huge advantage of interior space, but also for the controllability of the craft.
It is quite possible for relatively inexperienced motor boat owners to handle the boat with its ability to move sideways, or turn on the spot, with just the use of a joystick. This ability, together with many other design innovations makes the Johnson 65 yacht yet another motor yacht from the Dixon team that moves yacht design forward.
Next in this year’s launches comes the Gallop 53 yacht, the third in a new range of yachts for the Gallop series. European in inspiration, these yachts have modern western style interiors for export, or interiors more suited to the lifestyle of Asian buyers for their local markets.
Last, but by no means least in an impressive list is the Sease 62 yacht, the bigger sister to the successful Sease 53. This design again follows the Asian trend of large living spaces which is easily adapted for either business or entertaining use.
Below is a gallery for the outstanding charter yachts designed by Dixon.
Dixon Yacht Design Charter Yacht Images
